Discovery (Hybrid Book 1) (17 page)

“Down to business then are we? Fine with me. My nephew and I always do enjoy vigorous negotiations. We still require the hybrid to see Lord and Lady Harmon about their little problem. For various reasons, our culture is particularly concerned about genetic health, and the lack of a healthy heir is making their claim on the throne increasingly problematic. That, added to the deep oppression of the people, means Kalzir is ripe for returning to the original ruling family, which by happy co-incidence happens to be mine.” Connor almost groaned. All this was over petty planetary politics.

“Get on with it Tamas, I’m not in the least interested in your little backwater planet. What do you want from us? Do you want Chesara to make sure Lord Harmon never produces an heir, if so from what you’ve told me, you just could have waited, the couple isn’t fertile enough to produce a child.”

“Unfortunately that isn’t true. We’ve had an operative feeding them contraceptives for years, but it’s just a matter of time before she’s detected. But we don’t want them to be childless forever.” At Connor’s questioning look, he continued.

“That’s where the hybrid comes in. We want them to have a child, to have all the pomp and ceremony around the birth of a perfect son, a new Kalzirian Prince.” Tamas merely grinned at Connor’s surprised face.

“We want that child to appear perfect, to be acknowledged publically, then as he grows, the genetic defects Chesara will produce will manifest. He’ll grow deformed, both mentally and physically which will show that Harmon is unfit to lead.  As I, and then my nephew, are next in line, I’ll inherit, with Tenset as my heir. ”

As Connor looked on in growing disbelief, Tamas continued, obviously taking the lack of comment from Connor as a cue.

Connor was quite sure that if the plan went ahead either Tenset or Tamas would meet with an unfortunate accident before the succession took place. It’d just depend on which one of them was more blood thirsty and ambitious.

“Obviously, we’ll want to keep the hybrid around whilst the pregnancy progresses, just to make sure things are going to plan. The Harmon’s won’t be able to claim she’s done anything, without admitting they had a problem conceiving, which would lead directly back to the genetically deficient argument,” he finished triumphantly.

Connor kept his face deadpan as he replied. He was far more comfortable now as the readout indicated she was calm, and probably falling asleep.

“She’d never agree to harm an unborn child, she’d rather die.”

The answering smile on Tamas’ face made his heart fall.

“My dear Mr. Temple, did you really think we didn’t think of that? She is quite attached to you, you know. I’m sure the sight of you in pain will help persuade her, and my nephew is working on additional leverage. Do you think protecting her own offspring will help convince her? Plus a healer of our own would do wonders for this ‘little’ planet’s galactic status.”

Connor leaned his head back and laughed so hard that he found himself clutching at his stomach as a tear leaked out the corner of his eye. After a time, he managed to open his eyes to see the scarlet face of the Ambassador.

“When you’ve quite finished, would you mind letting me know what’s so amusing?”

The comment sent Connor into more laughter. This time he stopped abruptly and eyed his opponent in the corridor with his usual unruffled calm exterior. He stood up and walked to the door, making the guard step forward, brandishing his stun baton.

“Now son, don’t do anything you might regret,” he warned his prisoner.

Connor’s voice was low and full of menace as he loomed in the cell doorway, making the most of his intimidating height.

“You really have no idea what you are dealing with do you? A pregnant Dakaran would bring your backward little planet to a standstill. Your current little family squabble will seem insignificant in comparison.” Let them chew on that Connor thought, as he returned to the bed, which creaked rather alarmingly as he lay down, calmly shutting his eyes. He ignored the increasingly frantic questions from Tamas. Eventually, the furious Ambassador and his guard left.

As the door lock clanged into place, Tamas announced, “The idea is obviously a clumsy attempt to protect her from Tenset’s further attentions.”

Connor had merely smiled slightly, not bothering to open his eyes.

C
hesara woke as a finger gently brushed over her cheek.

“Hello beautiful,” said a deep voice, and Chesara opened her eyes to see a pair of brilliant blue eyes gazing down at her. She smiled back, and stretched like a cat, fully aware of the effect she’d have on him, payback for teasing her last night. His scent had changed slightly. Now, under the woodsy masculine scent that was all Tenset, there was a hint of berries. Now he smelt familiar and safe.

However as he said nothing more, but remained sitting on the bed, she started to feel a little uncomfortable.

“Are you still on your ‘possessive’ kick this morning?” She fixed him with a serious look.

“Well, since you didn’t seem totally on board with the idea...” She gave a snort before motioning him to continue. “I’ve decided to ingratiate myself with you a little more, so you’ll realize, sooner, rather than later that you can’t possibly live without me.”

The bright twinkle in his eye and that devastating grin told her he was joking; well at least she thought he was. She began to feel self-conscious as he continued to stare at her in silence. He was apparently quite content to take in the view for the foreseeable future.

“Erm, can you move? I want to get up.”

“Be my guest,” he replied with a sly smile.

“You’ll have to leave the room, I’m naked.” His smile broadened.

Chesara wasn’t sure if it was anger or arousal that was warming her face, although it was probably it was a little of both. She hoped he’d get face ache from grinning so much.

“I know.”

He was enjoying her discomfort, but he closed his eyes and playfully covered his face with his hands. “Go on then, I promise I won’t peek.”

“I trust you’ll behave yourself,” she said as she closed the bathroom door. She certainly hoped he’d peeked; otherwise that ass wiggle had been pointless.

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A
fter she’d left last night, Tenset had gone to talk to his uncle although he’d had to wait as the initial interrogation with her annoying body guard had still been going on. Tenset hadn’t felt remotely tired, his mind had been spinning with the sensations he’d experienced with Chesara. What she had tucked between those beautiful thighs was amazingly unique and he couldn’t wait to try it again.

The information Tamas passed on from the interrogation was a concern. Connor could’ve merely been trying to stop him impregnating Chesara with his hints of a pregnant Dakaran being a global threat.

But there was always a risk he was telling the truth. Tenset couldn’t help considering how unique she was, her healing ability and the additional pleasure a man could have with her. So maybe a pregnancy could have unfortunate effects, but he couldn’t think of anything that could affect the whole population as Connor had suggested.

He’d kept the details of the unique pleasure she’d given him to himself; somehow it didn’t seem right to discuss her like that. Tamas considered her a means to an end. Hell before he’d met her, he’d considered her in just the same way, as a valuable tool, not as a person in her own right.

Of course, she could already be pregnant. He’d certainly emptied enough seed into her to make a human woman pregnant. In fact, it had felt as if he was pumping his very soul into her. Still, who knew what it’d take to make her conceive, they weren’t even sure she was fertile. Most hybrids weren’t, mules being the example with which he was most familiar.

The conclusion of his meeting with Tamas produced was that he shouldn’t have sex with her again till they got more information about Dakaran pregnancies. However, he was still to keep their fledgling relationship going, to facilitate her cooperation with the plan, and any subsequent strategy for a possible pregnancy. He’d hated the callous way he’d discussed Chesara with his uncle, but the welfare of the kalzirian people outweighed both Chesara’s and his own future, or at least it had before he’d slept with her.

Somehow, the longer he spent in her company, the more he was falling under her spell. Despite his foolish assertion that she belonged to him last night, in the cold light of day, he was starting to wonder if it wasn’t the other way round. After finishing his conversation with his uncle, he’d returned to his room, and got out the portable screen.

Like a lovesick idiot, he’d spent the night, watching over her sleeping form, holding the panties that she’d left behind. When he’d seen her starting to stir this morning, his feet had carried him to her room almost unconsciously. It was only after she’d gone into the bathroom, that he’d managed to snap out of the fog he was in. Telling himself sternly to get a grip, he left the room before he did anything else stupid.

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W
hen Chesara came out of the bathroom, washed and wrapped in a towel she was significantly disappointed to find Tenset gone. The emotion she felt for this person she’d know for a time period she could still count in hours, was a little alarming. How far was she falling for this cocky dandy? Was it pure lust or something deeper? From the descriptions of love and lust her carers at the clinic had made, she decided to go with a definite ‘yes’ to the lust, with a ‘think about it’ for the love option.

Her mind flipped to the one person she was sure she loved, Connor. However, whether ‘lust’ entered that equation or not wasn’t clear, it had never ‘come up’ literally. In the right time and place, it was a definite possibility on her part, but she had no idea about his feelings.

She’d concluded that ‘professional’ was probably his middle name soon after they’d met. Despite that, they’d become firm, close friends over the years, even if it was more like a big brother – little sister relationship. He looked after her, and she made him laugh, and annoyed, in equal measures.

Light streamed through the window when she pulled the pink curtains back. The scene outside was a dewy lawn, surrounded by sumptuous flowerbeds. She opened the window a little to suck in a little fresh air and heard birds calling as they staked their claim to territory and mates.

She hadn’t realized just how much she missed the sounds and scents of nature during ship travel. The fresh air and good night’s sleep, not to mention the exercise she’d had last night invigorated her. Her reflection in the mirror this morning had certainly been an improvement on the first time she’d looked in that particular mirror when she’d arrived. Sex, it seemed, did wonders for the complexion.

Realising she was still only clothed in a large white towel she backed away from the window, she didn’t want to give a gardener an eyeful. She pictured an elderly man staring at her with wide eyes and dropping a bucket of weeds in shock, before stumbling over a discarded garden rake. Maybe it would be fun after all.

A set of clothes was laid on the bed, white panties, a pair of tight green leggings a light green buttoned shirt, and a pair of short brown leather boots completed the outfit. Seems the Kalzirians didn’t believe in bras. It wasn’t fancy clothing, just practical. As she got dressed, she got the idea that today would be all business, rather than the pleasure of the night before.

She hadn’t been able to assess most of what Tenset had said last night, due to the raging desire she’d felt. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been aroused before, only yesterday in the shower she’d quite enjoyed herself. Maybe it was the close proximity of an aroused Tenset, which had caused the effect. She stopped that train of thought before it distracted her again. God, she was turning into a complete horny harridan. ‘Focus you’re a professional’ she told herself sternly.

Her priority had to be to address what he wanted her to do for the Kalzirian people, and to contact Connor for advice. She’d need his help on this one as planetary politics weren’t her strong point.  When she opened her door, she immediately got a waft of freshly cooked bread and she was drawn almost unconsciously down the main staircase to the dining hall by the delicious smell.

With her nose in heaven and her stomach rumbled slightly, she found herself wondering about how the last twenty-four hours had changed her life. Firstly she was no longer a virgin, and according to all the literature this was a ‘big’ event in a girl’s life. But although the experience had been somewhat unsettling, due being out of control, she didn’t feel any different this morning, apart from wanting to do it again, And again. To be honest, if Tenset was in sight, she’d probably drag him back to bed this instant.

She had a mental image of one of her main carers at the clinic, a stern elderly woman, wagging her finger at her, calling her a hussy as she passionately kissed Connor whilst Tenset nuzzled her neck from behind.

She knew promiscuous behaviour was still frowned upon in some human societies. But as she passed a large wall mirror just outside the dining hall, she had to admit, that maybe she wasn’t as human as she'd always tried to appear. Perhaps she shouldn’t be trying so hard to fit into human ‘norms’. The thought of being with both of them was rather intriguing, but she knew it’d never happen, she was damn sure human men didn’t like to share. Besides Connor and Tenset clearly disliked each other.

Tenset was waiting for her in the dining room. The table was laden with a variety of cooked meats, fresh baked breads and various types of cheese. It was enough to feed a family, or one very hungry not quite human hybrid.

“Help yourself to whatever you fancy,” Tenset said, smiling slightly as he poured her a glass of some sort of orange coloured fruit juice. Chesara suppressed the urge to tell him that it was him she fancied.

She could feel that their brief interlude of last night and this morning was never going to last. Things would be said today that would possibly pull them apart forever, and she wanted to bask in the happiness she felt for as long as possible.